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Robertson retired from CCPD this year

By Sarah Matott

The Daily Record

Posted:
10/05/2017 03:02:15 PM MDT

Cañon City Police Officer Clint Robertson delivered safety reminders with coffee to customers at Coyote Coffee Den and Jump Start Java, as part of a safety campaign to offer a reminder to drivers to wear seat belts. (File Photo)

In an already large pool, the race for the Fremont County Sheriff's Office in the 2018 election continues to grow.

On Thursday, Clint Robertson publicly announced his bid for candidacy.

According to the Colorado Secretary of State's website, seven people already have filed their paperwork, signifying their intent to run for sheriff, including Robertson, current FCSO Undersheriff Ty Martin, Florence Police Chief Mike DeLaurentis, FCSO Deputy Clint Wilson, FCSO Deputy Cyrus Young and Fremont County residents Skip Moreau and James Boyd Canterbury.

Robertson, who retired from the Cañon City Police Department earlier this year, said the main reason why he decided to run for sheriff is that he wants to help the community that is his home.

"I love this community. I can tell you that I have lived longer in Fremont County than anywhere else in my life. This is my home; it may not be where I was born, but it is my home," he said.

Robertson has been married to his wife, Michelle, for 27 years, has two sons and is just a few months shy of being in law enforcement for 20 years.

Prior to going into law enforcement, Robertson said he served in the U.S. Air Force for almost three years. He moved to the Air Force reserves in 1991 after his base closed.

He said he began his career in law enforcement in 1997 with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office.

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"I started out as a detention deputy with the sheriff's office, and my goal was to go off to the street," he said, adding he made it to patrol that same year with current FCSO Sheriff Jim Beicker being the officer who trained him for his first day in the field.

Robertson worked in various roles throughout his career. He said he moved up to become a patrol sergeant. He also worked investigations, traffic and later, in the administrative side after moving over to the CCPD.

Ian Snow and former Cañon City Police Sgt. Clint Robertson look at potential gifts for Ian's mom at The Marketplace Shops during the 'Shop With A Cop' event in 2013. (Carie Canterbury / Daily Record)

Robertson said he feels like everything he has done throughout his life and career in law enforcement has led him to this point and has given him the experience needed to be a successful sheriff.

One of the biggest parts of Robertson's campaign is in regards to the community, which is why his campaign slogan is "Community First."

"It's more of a commitment than a slogan," he said, adding that he believes the FCSO would be a much better organization if it becomes part of the community again.

"We have got to do the right thing by the community," Robertson said.

He listed some of the things that would make the FCSO move into that direction.

"Number one is going to be accountability. We need to be accountable to the public that we serve," he said, adding that the people of Fremont County will want to know and should know the status of the sheriff's office.

Robertson said with accountability comes transparency, which requires also the FCSO getting involved with the community.

He said all of these ideas tie in with one another and all of them together will increase the community's trust with the FCSO.

He also said communication is important, not just regarding the public, but also internally.

"With communication, I mean we need it from the deputies up to the chain of command without fear of any reprisals," he said.

He said if officers within the department can communicate with one another, then they can do better with the public, which in turn makes the entire department stronger.

Robertson also said as sheriff, he would address training, as training increases safety and reduces liability. He also said, regarding officers, that the FCSO needs to begin recruiting individuals who are from the community so there's a higher chance of them staying here.

Robertson said the CCPD has proven that it is possible to recruit locally because it was something he helped do while at CCPD. He also said the FCSO needs to address pay and benefits, so the department is able to become more competitive with surrounding agencies.

Ultimately, Robertson said he believes the FCSO needs to return to traditional core values for the community.

Robertson said he thinks the FCSO has on some scale lost the public's trust this year.

"I think it goes without saying, but where does the blame fall?" he said, adding that there's always more to the story, and the thing to do now is positively move forward.

"I'm not a part of the sheriff's office so it's unfair for me to spin a negative connotation on what has occurred," he said. "What I think is needed is a fresh perspective for the sheriff's office; someone that's proven that they have been committed to this community. And, I believe I'm your candidate."

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